Towing?
 

I have a 1990 Chevy next cab long box and there is no sticker in the door or glove box to show me the numbers. Can anyone help me with how much I can tow from the hitch? I might need a better hitch but would like to get a camper without a newer truck.
Thanks

If your truck is the 1/2 ton the towing capacity for the 1500HD is rated at 10,300 pounds (4,700 kg), and can haul 3,129 pounds (1,419 kg) in the bed.

Your ownership will reflect this too.

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I forgot some key points in my oost . Sorry. Its a 1500 350 v8. Is that towing capabilities in a new 1500? Or an old one like mine? Thanks for the reply

That applies to the 1990 to 1998 Silverado 1/2 ton

I've had 5000 pounds in the back of my 1500 HD with no issues.

How do I know if its an HD? 10000 pounds just seems like a lot to tow for it. I tow my 24 foot pontoon no problem but this camper would weigh close to 8 k fully loaded with quads.

Do you guys have links to the #s your throwing around?
Reason I ask is, IMO, your posting stuff way too high for that generation of 1/2 ton.

My 2000 classic 1 ton with 6.5TD was only rated for a 7-7500lb tag trailer.
To get 10K required a dually.

5,000lbs in the bed of a 1/2 ton is just asking for trouble.
I had 3,600lbs+ of block in the box of a '01 Ram2500 CTD and couldn't imagine another 1400 lbs and that was with factory overload springs.

Sad thing is I think I just threw out a factory owners manual for a 1988 C/K pickup:(
8K behind a TBI powered truck is going to be slow going. I've done it but had 3/4 & 1 ton trucks with 4.10 gears and TH400 or 4L80E transmissions.

There was a fairly big difference in tow rating depending if you had 3.08,3.42 or 3.73 gears as well. The better tow packages also upgraded the 8.5" rear axle to the 9.5" unit.

The first result at the top of the list.
https://www.google.ca/#hl=en&tbo=d&o...w=1336&bih=602

Dan, I only had to move it about 1/4 mile, and it was was way over loaded. I kept putting the bags of concrete in the truck and piling them on thinking I was gonna stack them to the top of the bed, not at all thinking about weight till I had it all loaded :P

That link was for a wiki site on the GMT800--not the GMT400 that the OP has. Plus the 1500HD you quote is a 8 lug version or just a rebadged 3/4ton.

Rusty,
Still don't recommend it. Those axle housings aren't made for that. I hauled my blocks 20 miles but keep it off the highway.

Here is what I found on the GMT400:
From:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_C/K

EDIT: those #s were listed for the 3rd gen but I believe they mirror what the early GMT400s were/are rated for.

I'll look in my '96's owner's manual tomorrow at tow ratings. It's just a K1500 with 3.42 and a 5.0L vortec.

I for sure wouldn't do it again, but the once time I did it was pretty well over loaded. I took some pics and have me somewhere. I'll have to put them in the album I have on this site for my truck sometime.

OK harley I have your answer.
The maximum your truck is rated to tow is 7,500lbs
However, you need the following options to do that:
-Z82 Trailering Special Package
-V43/VB3 Bumper, Rear Step Type
-3.73 axle ratio

Axle ratio of 3.42 is rated for 6,000 & 6500lbs depending on combined options.
If you have a 2wd model with a 3.08 axle ratio then max tow rating isn't even listed. IMO 5,000lbs max.
Also note the 1/2 tons of the era were not even recommended or rated for 5th wheel towing.

Note: Above information is right from an original 1991 Chevy trucks sales brochure. The 1990 brochure I have does not list tow ratings.

I'm not real sure what my truxk has for towing. It has a hitch not a bumper with a ball on it. I have an owners manual but think half of it is missing and the small parts about towing doesn't help at all. Can the. In help me? I kinda figured 10 k was to much to tow but am kinda sad it can't in fear of this camper being to big.

Does your glovebox have the RPO codes still in it?
Owners manual will not show what options you have, it covers all models.